Casual Misunderstandings Concerning Reformed Theology and Calvinism

There is a great deal of misconceptions and misunderstandings amidst most Christians these days having to do with the issue of “Calvinism” or “Reformed Theology.” A lot of people believe that Calvinism is an evil cult-like theology that teaches wrong doctrine with connection to the Bible. We will review several of the most common accusations towards the Calvinistic faith and decide whether or not these ideas are true or indeed flawed misrepresentations of what reformed theology actually teaches.

The first a most common misunderstanding concerning Calvinism revolves around the reality that Calvinism gets its name from the French theologian and preacher John Calvin during the reformation. Consequently, a lot of people declare that any person who believe in the teachings of Calvinism are not following the teachings of the Bible but instead following the teachings of a man. What must be shown certain in one’s mind is the fact that the teachings of Calvinism are not established on the doctrines of men, but instead the conclusions reached as a result of reading the Bible. In other words, any person is able of reading the Bible and reaching the same conclusions as John Calvin.

It can also be mentioned that it is quite hypocritical to make such a statement, given the basis that any set of doctrines can be outlined backward into the past and be seen being instructed by particular men. Does this suggest that anybody believing in those specific doctrines is following those men instead of the Bible? Certainly not. Also, the term “Calvinism” does not illustrate the doctrines of John Calvin, but rather the obvious biblical teachings that he used up so much time defending and proclaiming during the reformation.

Another exceedingly common misunderstanding involves the Calvinistic teaching that God has chosen those who will be saved from before the foundation of the universe. People frequently complain that this is beneath the character of a loving God. Some say that God would never select and choose who will go to heaven and who will go to hell. Nonetheless, this misunderstanding is grounded in the failure to realize that real nature of man and the fact that all men start off guilty. God is not looking at a group of neutral, guilt free people and selecting and electing who goes to heaven and hell. Rather, God is looking at a group of previously condemned people, and for His own glory selecting a group of human beings to be saved from that just and correct judgement.

A great example to demonstrate this further would be to take a look at a group of men on death row. They have already been justly and rightly condemned to death. Nonetheless, if the governor of the state wants to use his qualification to pardon one of these people, has he done any wrong to the others? Is he under any responsibility to pardon any other human being on death row? Surely Not. In the same way, God pardons the human beings of His choosing. Why does he do this? Ephesians chapter one tells us it is for His own good reasons, and not based on any one thing in us.

Furthermore, there is a common misunderstanding in regard to the Calvinistic doctrine of “Total Depravity.” Total Depravity teaches that man is dead in trespasses and sin, helpless of believing or choosing to believe in Jesus Christ. Human beings will therefore ask: “How can God chasten someone for not doing something they were unable to do?” That is, believing in Jesus Christ. The answer is simple. We are not condemned to hell for the “sin of unbelief,” while that is indeed a sin. Rather, we are guilty of hell in our father Adam, already guilty from our birth. We as humans have put ourselves in the position we are now in, dead in trespasses and sins and powerless to come to Christ or believe in him.

These are just some of the most noteworthy misunderstandings concerning Calvinism and Reformed Theology. If you desire to understand what Calvinism actually teaches, rather than going off of misunderstandings, manage a study of your own into this affair. Examine Calvinism and its teachings, and ask yourself whether or not those doctrines truly line up with the things the Bible teaches. You may be startled to find that Calvinism most truly and correctly lines up with the teachings of the Holy Bible.

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